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Ladakh Motorcycle Tour from Dharamshala

10 nights · 11 days · Multi-destination

  • Motorcycle tour
  • Up to Khardung La, ~5,359 m
  • Mid-June – mid-September
  • Back-up vehicle
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Overview

The classic ride to Ladakh, from our hotels in Dharamshala. We cross the Atal Tunnel, Baralacha La and Tanglang La on the Manali–Leh road, take a rest day in Leh, then ride Khardung La to Nubra and the Shyok road to Pangong before heading home the same way.

A ride captain leads, and a back-up vehicle with a mechanic carries luggage, spares and fuel across the long stretch without pumps between Tandi and Leh.

  • Baralacha La, the Gata Loops and Tanglang La on the Manali–Leh road
  • A rest day in Leh to acclimatise
  • Khardung La and the sand dunes of Nubra
  • Pangong Tso and Chang La
  • Back-up vehicle, mechanic and spare fuel all the way
  1. DharamshalaStart
  2. JispaDay 2
  3. SarchuDay 3
  4. LehDays 4–5
  5. NubraDay 6
  6. PangongDay 7
  7. DharamshalaDay 11

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Dharamshala to Manali

    Night: Manali

    Bike handover and a briefing, then about 240 km through Mandi and up the Beas to Manali.

    Night stay
    Manali
    Altitude
    Manali, about 2,050 m
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2

    Atal Tunnel to Jispa

    Night: Jispa

    A short day to start acclimatising: through the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul, past Keylong to Jispa. Fill up at Tandi, the last pump for about 365 km. About 90 km.

    Night stay
    Jispa
    Altitude
    Jispa, about 3,200 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  3. Day 3

    Baralacha La to Sarchu

    Night: camps at Sarchu

    Up past Zing Zing Bar to Baralacha La, at about 4,890 m, and down to the plains of Sarchu. About 85 km.

    Night stay
    camps at Sarchu
    Altitude
    Sarchu, about 4,290 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  4. Day 4

    Sarchu to Leh

    Night: Leh

    The big day: the Gata Loops, Nakee La and Lachulung La, the More Plains and Tanglang La, at about 5,328 m, then down the Indus to Leh. About 250 km.

    Night stay
    Leh
    Altitude
    Leh, about 3,500 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  5. Day 5

    Rest day in Leh

    Night: Leh

    Rest and acclimatise. Permits for Nubra and Pangong, the old town, Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Riders on our bikes switch to a Leh-registered bike today.

    Night stay
    Leh
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  6. Day 6

    Khardung La to Nubra

    Night: Nubra Valley

    Over Khardung La, at about 5,359 m, and down to Diskit and the dunes at Hunder. About 120 km.

    Night stay
    Nubra Valley
    Altitude
    Hunder, about 3,100 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  7. Day 7

    Nubra to Pangong

    Night: camps at Pangong

    Along the Shyok river to Pangong Tso, with the lake changing colour through the afternoon. About 160 km.

    Night stay
    camps at Pangong
    Altitude
    Pangong, about 4,250 m
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  8. Day 8

    Pangong to Leh over Chang La

    Night: Leh

    Back to Leh over Chang La, at about 5,360 m. Switch back to your own or our Himachal bike in the evening. About 160 km.

    Night stay
    Leh
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  9. Day 9

    Leh to Sarchu

    Night: camps at Sarchu

    South over Tanglang La and across the More Plains to Sarchu. About 250 km.

    Night stay
    camps at Sarchu
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  10. Day 10

    Sarchu to Manali

    Night: Manali

    Over Baralacha La and back through the Atal Tunnel to Manali. About 220 km.

    Night stay
    Manali
    Meals
    Breakfast and dinner
  11. Day 11

    Manali to Dharamshala

    Trip ends in Dharamshala

    Down the Beas through Mandi and back to Dharamshala, about 240 km, where the trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast

Bikes hired outside Ladakh can’t be used for sightseeing there under local union rules, so riders on our Himachal bikes switch to a Leh-registered bike for Nubra and Pangong. Your own bike can carry on.

What’s included

Included

  • A ride captain who knows the route
  • Back-up vehicle with a mechanic, spares and your luggage
  • Stays as listed, twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Permit help and route briefings each evening
  • Help on WhatsApp throughout the trip

Not included

  • Motorcycle hire (ask us, or ride your own bike)
  • Fuel for your motorcycle
  • Lunches, snacks and personal expenses
  • Riding gear and travel insurance
  • Extra nights caused by road closures
  • Leh bike hire for Nubra and Pangong, and Ladakh permit fees

Where you’ll stay

Hotels in Manali and Leh, guesthouses in Jispa and Nubra, and camps at Sarchu and Pangong. We confirm each one with your booking.

Before you go

  • Licence

    A licence with a motorcycle category. Foreign riders also need an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles, plus a passport and visa.

  • Riding experience

    You should be comfortable on gravel, water crossings and long days in the saddle. If you are new to mountain roads, start with a shorter ride.

  • Fuel

    Pumps are far apart above the tree line. The back-up vehicle carries spare fuel, and the ride captain tells you where to fill up each day.

  • Gear

    A full-face helmet, riding jacket, gloves and boots, rain gear, and warm layers for the high passes even in summer.

  • Altitude and permits

    Leh is at about 3,500 m and the passes go above 5,300 m, so the rest day in Leh matters. Protected areas such as Nubra and Pangong need a permit for foreign nationals and fees for everyone; we arrange them in Leh.

  • Bikes hired outside Ladakh can’t be used for sightseeing there under local union rules, so riders on our Himachal bikes switch to a Leh-registered bike for Nubra and Pangong. Your own bike can carry on.

FAQ

Can I ride a bike hired in Himachal around Ladakh?

Not for sightseeing. Local union rules don’t allow bikes hired outside Ladakh on the Nubra and Pangong days, so riders on our bikes switch to a Leh-registered bike in Leh and switch back for the ride home. Your own bike can carry on.

How high does the ride go?

Khardung La is at about 5,359 m and Tanglang La and Chang La above 5,300 m. You sleep at Sarchu (about 4,290 m) and Pangong (about 4,250 m), so we climb in stages and take a rest day in Leh.

When can I ride to Ladakh?

From about mid-June, when the Manali–Leh road opens, to mid-September. Snow can close the passes at either end of the season, so we keep the plan flexible.

Do I need permits for Ladakh?

Protected areas such as Nubra and Pangong need a permit for foreign nationals and fees for everyone. We sort them out in Leh on the rest day.

Worth reading first

Read our cancellation policy before you confirm.

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